Russia's war on Ukraine, China, the Middle East and defence spending were the main topics of the first phone call between Kaja Kallas and Marco Rubio. View on euronews

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas have agreed on the need to exert maximum pressure on Russia to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, says an unnamed EU official who is familiar with the contents of the phone conversation between these two politicians, reports Bloomberg.

European Union leaders are warning that Russia could test the bloc's readiness to defend itself within the next three to five years, calling for an increase in defense budgets and deepen military cooperation among member states.

The European Union renewed on Monday its wide-ranging sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine, after Hungary stopped holding up the move in return for a declaration on energy security.

The EU renewed sanctions on Russia and called for unity to respond to Donald Trump's transactional approach. The US president's warning to Moscow to end the war or face more penalties was more in line with EU policy.

Officials said Ms Kallas and Mr Rubio agreed on the need to maintain "maximum pressure on Moscow" over it's war on Ukraine. Read more at straitstimes.com.

BRUSSELS - European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she expected the bloc to renew its sanctions on Russia on Monday after Hungary signalled it would stop holding up the move in return for assurances about energy security.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed on the need to maintain "maximum pressure on Moscow to move towards a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine,

Both officials agreed on the importance of “continuing to exert maximum pressure on Russia to achieve a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine.” The conversation also touched on the need to strengthen cooperation between the EU and the United States,